Michael Bent
Michael Bent (born 25 April 1986 in Hāwera, New Zealand) is a New Zealand born Irish rugby union player who can play as a tight or loosehead prop. He currently plays for Leinster in the Pro14 and represents Ireland at international level.[1] He previously represented Taranaki in the ITM Cup, and spent two seasons with the Hurricanes in Super Rugby. He made his debut for Ireland against South Africa in the 2012 autumn international series.
| Birth name | Michael Ryan Bent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 25 April 1986 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Hāwera, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 120 kg (19 st; 260 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Hawera High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | Celyse Bent (Barnes) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Domestic career
At the age of 23 Bent was selected for the Taranaki team as a versatile prop – playing both Tight and Loosehead positions.
Bent made three pre-season appearances and five competition appearances in the 2011 Super 15 season for the Hurricanes. After playing his first games for the Hurricanes, Bent linked up with Taranaki in the 2011 ITM Cup. Playing on both sides of the scrum, Bent was a key cog in Taranaki's third place ITM Cup finish and Ranfurly Shield winning season.
After being used as nothing more than a bit part player for the Hurricanes in 2012, Bent returned to Taranaki and played in every one of the side's 13 first-class matches. While he was used extensively as a loosehead prop in 2011, Bent showed his versatility by making the No 3 jersey his own in a campaign that saw Taranaki defend the Ranfurly Shield six times and win seven of their 10 regular season national provincial championship fixtures. He developed his game this season, improving his defence, mobility and ball carrying. As well as the player of the year, Bent was named the sportsman of the year - the players' player of the year - who best demonstrated excellence on and off the field. Surprisingly, and an anomaly of the awards, Bent was not named forward of the year by the selection panel made up of the Taranaki management team. Instead, that prize went to No 8 Blade Thomson.
Leinster and Ireland
In late October 2012 Bent arrived in Ireland to join Leinster.[2] He was immediately drafted into the Ireland squad for their November Internationals. He qualifies to play for Ireland through his Irish grandmother, and made his debut against South Africa on 10 November 2012 at Lansdowne Road.[3]
References
- "Prop Bent may face Ospreys". The Irish Times.
- http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/7865826/Taranaki-counting-losses-as-key-players-leave
- "Pressure increases on Declan Kidney as limp second half exposes Ireland's limitations". Irish Independent. 12 November 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2012.